Album Review: Matt Corby - Telluric

The word telluric, as it often makes its way into one's day-to-day vocabulary, refers to a harmonious, categorical or connective belonging to the Earth — emerging from it, belonging to it, or both.

With that definition in mind, it is easy to see a clear concept in Corby's debut album. The culmination of years worth of effort, writing, rewriting, producing and ruminating, Telluric's songs all tessellate wonderfully; they're all soulful, and all a little bit dirty too. Drawing influences from all over the place — indie, pop, hip hop, psychedelia, jazz, soul and blues all in there — he brings it all together in such an identifiable and purposeful sonic niche that it's hard to peg where it's come from.

Belly Side Up begins as a whisper in your ear — one with a heart in its mouth, anxious, vulnerable and tremulous. Though there isn't a poor song on the album, the cylinders really start to open at Wrong Man, with huge open chords and a booming melody. Sooth Lady Wine has already received a lot of praise, justifiably, for its mellow grooves and lazy back-in-the-mix vocals. Several dynamic lifts and drops follow the album through a journey that is very clearly led by Corby — as though he has taken your hand and pulled you from a daydream.

Corby's insatiableness for clear direction and purpose has paid off well. Right down to the incredible artwork on the cover, it really is a special record.